E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSAt 87 years old, Dr. Russell Dohner is a country doctor from a bygone era: He has delivered thousands of babies and charges just $5 a visit. NBC's Kevin Tibbles reports.
RUSHVILLE, Ill.
Patients line up early outside his office just off the town square, waiting quietly for the doctor to arrive, as he has done for nearly 60 years.
Dr. Russell Dohner is, after all, a man of routine, a steady force to be counted on in uncertain times.
Wearing the fedora that has become his trademark, he walks in just before 10 a.m., after rising early to make rounds at the local hospital. There are no appointments. He takes his patients in the order they sign in — first come, first-served. His office has no fax machines or computers. Medical records are kept on hand-written index cards, stuffed into row upon row of filing cabinets.
The only thing that has changed, really — other than the quickness of the doctor's step or the color of his thinning hair — is his fee. When Dohner started practicing medicine in Rushville in 1955, he charged the going rate around town for an office visit: $2.
Now it is $5.
This in an era when the cost of healthcare has steadily risen, when those who don't have medical insurance often forgo seeing a doctor. But not Dohner's patients. He doesn't even accept medical insurance — says it's not worth the bother.
"I always just wanted to be a doctor to help people with their medical problems and that's all it's for," the 87-year-old family physician says. "It was never intended to make a lot of money."
Being a doctor, helping and providing a service — that has been his goal since he was a boy.
One of seven children, Dohner grew up on a farm just north of Rushville, outside the little town of Vermont, Ill. His father had hoped he'd take up farming, too. But young Dohner had other ideas, inspired by the town doctor who'd treated him when he had seizures as a child.
"I remember waking up and seeing the doctor there and thinking, 'THAT is what I want to do,'" he says.
After serving in the Army in World War II, Dohner went to Western Illinois University, paying for his education with funds provided by the G.I. bill. In the early 1950s, he attended Northwestern University's medical school. He had his sights set on becoming a cardiologist and thought about staying in the big city. But when a doctor in Rushville asked him to put off his heart specialist studies to practice medicine back at home, he agreed to do so, at least for a little while.
Then that doctor left town.
"So I couldn't very well leave," Dohner says. "That's just the way it worked out."
It was a sacrifice, yes. His young wife didn't want to stay in such a small town, he says, and so their marriage ended. He never remarried and instead dedicated his life to his work, only leaving this small central Illinois town for medical conferences over the years, never taking a true vacation.
Even when the medical profession changed around him, he was always on call, ready to drop everything for a patient.
Carolyn Ambrosius, now 69, recalls how her mother went to an obstetrician in Springfield when she was pregnant at age 41, a rarity back then. The doctor there told her that either she'd survive or the baby would, but not both of them — a prognosis her mother refused to accept.
So she went back to Rushville.
"God's going to take care of us — and Dr. Dohner," Ambrosius remembers her mother saying.
And the doctor did, coming to their home each day to check on her during the pregnancy, and often staying to eat meals with the family after he'd completed his exams.
"I'm not sure if he remembers," Ambrosius now says. (By now, the story is vaguely familiar to Dohner. He's delivered a lot of babies in Rushville — "nearly the whole town," by some estimates.)
But her mother did survive. "And my baby brother is now 52," Ambrosius says, standing outside Dohner's office on a crisp fall day after coming in for a check-up.
Stories like that are common around this town, a quaint place with cobblestone streets around the main square and majestic old mansions, some of which have seen better days. It's the sort of place where patients give their doctor a gift or bring baked goods to say thank you. The walls of Dohner's office hold items such as a homemade clock adorned with shiny beads, embroidery, cards, photos and paintings, including one of the doctor fishing, once a favorite pastime.
These days, though, it takes all his energy just to rise before 7 a.m. to head to the hospital, then to his office and back to the hospital, where the "Doctors' Dictating Lounge," named for his father, is set up with a desk and a cot for the occasional nap.
On Thursdays, Dohner closes his office at noon, but even then, he heads to the local nursing home to visit residents. On Sundays, he sees patients before church and stops by the hospital afterward.
He's there, indeed, like clockwork. But as much as townspeople have grown to count on him, they also worry, as he's become increasingly frail.
"He's going to be dearly missed, not just in town but the three- or four-county area around the town, you know, because people come from all over just to him," says Robert Utter, a 37-year-old emergency medical technician who's been a patient since he was a small boy.
The doctor's staff is aging, too. One of his nurses, Rose Busby, is 86. His secretary, Edith Moore, who grew up living next door to the Dohner farm, is 85.
"You been here before?" Moore asks many patients who step up to the office window to sign in throughout the day.
Though she may not remember everyone, she's not surprised when they answer, "Yes."
"Everybody in the world has been here before," she says, somehow managing to find each patient's index card in the filing cabinets that run down the hallway. "They're full," she says.
Moore is the one who collects the $5 fee when the patients leave — though a few times a day, Dohner tells her "never mind" and tries to quietly let a few go with no charge. Patients sometimes protest.
"Next time, I'll pay $20!" one insists. But it's clear that this patient and others are grateful, and often relieved.
Few doctors today could practice medicine the way Dohner does.
"I don't hardly make enough to pay my nurses," he concedes with a chuckle.
Most of his income comes from the farm that his family still owns and that is now run by a nephew. So, although he never became a farmer, the farming life made it possible for this country doctor to maintain his practice, his way.
And he intends to keep it going as long as he possibly can.
"As long as I can make it up here, I'll help if I can," says Dohner, who has no plan to retire. Medical colleagues keep a watchful, caring eye on him.
He notes that his mother lived into her mid-90s. "I guess I don't know anything else to do," he says.
During a visit to Culbertson Memorial Hospital, he stops to see Virginia Redshaw Wheelhouse, a 97-year-old patient. Her eyes open when she hears his voice. The doctor holds her hand and pats her shoulder.
Afterward, stammering but determined to get the words out, she says, "I pray he lives to be 99," as her daughter-in-law, Cathy Redshaw, nods.
"There's no words to describe what he does for people and the effect he has on people," says Cindy Kunkel, a registered nurse at the hospital, where Dohner spends many evenings on "second rounds," as she calls them.
She recalls working the night shift and seeing him pull into the hospital drive, often with a patient in his car.
"He may have his slippers on, but he would have his hat and his suit on," Kunkel says, smiling. "And he would bring a patient in that needed to be put to bed and taken care of."
Stephanie LeMaster, who grew up in Rushville, remembers interviewing Dohner for a school report when she was in fourth grade. Before then, she'd planned on being a nurse, like her mom and grandmother before her. But that interview changed everything, she says.
Dohner became a role model — and now she is a first-year medical student at Southern Illinois University.
"They tell me I should be the next Dr. Dohner, but I'm not sure I can live up to him," LeMaster says. "He's the only one like him."
More from NBCNews.com health:
Bulletproof? Why guys won't go to the doctor. Ever
Fungal meningitis victim on infection: 'It's torturous'
You may have diabetes and not know it
Leave a Comment:
Isn't this wonderful? I do, however, hope that the good doctor has kept up to date with medical advances, so he can give the best therapy to patients. I couldn't find mention of this in the article.
Why do insurance companies and administrators have to s#ck up a good percentage of healthcare money? I can't wait for them to be replaced by pure software.
More Doctors should be like him! Instead of being a bunch of greedy pukes!
wow Greedy pukes..
Lets see here. without including the cost of the building and utilities have you ever done the math on what it takes to BE a doctor? The YEARS of schooling it takes, not to mention the cost of said school. How about the medical malpractice insurance they HAVE to have for all the law suits that are filed every year.....
You can goto your 87 year old Doctor, who more than likely is not up to date on his skills, and pay 5.00 a visit. I will goto my Dr, who is up to date, pay my 20.00 base office visit ( additional services extra )and feel confidant that I am getting good service.
Lets not even get into the issue that this guy will not be able to practice medicine much longer, as he will not be in compliance with the new Obamacare regulations. I seem to remember reading something about all records needing to be digital in the not so distant future.
Jeremy,
You took the bait. Responding to ignorant generalities isn't a productive use of time.
I think charging $1000.00 dollars a minute is out of line!! That happens to be what the doctors want to charge me for a SIMPLE 3.5 minutes in their office $3500.00. That is NUTS... Where did they get the money to go to school they borrowed it from the people.
I'll say it again GREEDY PUKES
Its' rare for somone to offer up their special skill for next to nothing. What a nice man.
@AKRandy,
What have you done for people??? Think about it... Now who's the greedy puke. People like you that expect everything at a discount or for free, make me sick.
I went to see a back specialist last month. He had a huge staff that had me fill out a 20 page form. They then put it all into the computer. Then I waited about an hour in the exam room. Finally the dr came in. He didn't read ANY of the paperwork or even look at the computer. He just asked me 2 minimal questions said I should try PT and left the room. He was only in the room about 90 seconds. When I left the exam room, I saw him eating a candy bar and chatting it up with another doc. He proceded to bill my insurance about $300. My copay alone was $60.
It was a complete scam.
I would much rather have seen this Dr. Dohner. He at least cares about his job and his patients.
AKRandy, I call bull@!$%# on your statement. 3500.00 of an office visit? I have seen a many specialist and never an office visit of that multitude. The most than any one doctor I have had was 280.00 now go take your drugs and keep telling yourself this nonsense so you keep believing what you type is true. Gregorvich, I am not sure Dr. Dohner could handle such, he is a general practitioner, not so sure I would want him treating my back.
Blake-2644321:
I donate time to the WOMAN'S shelter! I also donate work to assisted living centers!
What about YOU who have you helped???? Well off I go the help the victims at the shelter. Yes that really is what I am doing today!
Not a chance...you get what you pay for...not having computers is just plan stupid and I don't want stuff written by hand that might not be legible to someone else...just sayin'
AKRandy is sure fishing for some sympathy, I think I will package some up and mail it to him.
WeAllHaveOpinions
I never said office visit!! I had the same operation done 4 years ago in and out in 20 minutes... $1500.00 Now the same doctor in the same office wants $3500.00. In was done in his office! You where not there so keep your yap shut and keep your lies to your self!
@AKRandy- I don't have spare time to work at shelters or slop beans on a plate for people who live off the government or refuse to find work. I work my tail off to afford all the necessary things in life. I don't expect a hand out, have a rich family, use food stamps, or have any special payment set up like women with kids who divorce their husbands.
My contribution is not liing on my W-2 and paying my taxes for that jackasses that live off of them. I may sound harsh and cold, but I work for what I have and am proud of that.
Blake... you should be embarrassed by your blanket statements made about people you know nothing about. Sounds just as bitter & ignorant as the argument you are admonishing Randy for. You can't blame the whole because of a f*cked up few.. And yes, I have a full time job & support myself. Never missed a payment, never took charity, but I don't judge until I walk in someone else's shoes. You should be grateful that you have the mental & physical capacity, as well as the opportunity & support you need t keep your sh*t together as well as you say you do. Lucky you...
This thread is inane and you should all be doused in cold water. AKRandy, stop waving your cyberjunk around. No one cares and this is anonymous, so anyone can lie. Weallhaveopinions - I see you have never been to the Mayo Clinic for a consult on an MRI. People like AK are drawn to hyperbole because it IS stupid when you wait 2 hours and go in for a literal 3 minute consult, then get a 4 digit bill. Blake, keep your idiotic generalizations about the poor to yourself. All you do is trivialize the people who DO drag their way out. If you think they have it so well, maybe you should try living in an oven box in NYC so you can get the awesome FREE SOUP.
Now, unless you are an honorary diplomat with immunity, end this immediately before one of you strains a neuron.
If everyone were like Dr. Dohner, then everyone could live like kings.
But instead we have a very very very few who hog all the wealth for themselves and who'll trade in their own country for cheap labor overseas then scam Americans with these cheaply made crap selling them at a higher price then they sold for when they were made in the USA - they do it so THEY can prosper off of other people's hard work!
Dr. Dohner comes from an earlier time when people cared about each other and success wasn't measured in dollars.
Can you imagine how sick and heartless some people must be living in their multi-million dollar penthouses with the wealth to live a thousand life-times over while a families less than a block away are starving or freezing to death because they can't find jobs or because they are too sick and can't afford medical care?!
@WTGRL- I'm not embarrassed. I like stirring the pot and reading what others think. Sorry for having an opinion. And I wasn't blaming anyone. I was simply making a point by using AKRandy's post. Xanax may be helpful in your case.
@Blake - Do you know the wealthy (millionaires and billionaires) receive the bulk of government money in the form of grants that they never have to pay back? These are programs actually designed for the poor to receive money to repair their homes or pay off credit cards, but they are written in such a way that it takes a lawyer to figure them out. The wealthy take advantage of it because they know this money is set aside and if no one applies for it who are worse off than they are, they'll get the money.
I must say I am kind of confused by Blake's post railing against women who have children and divorce their husbands and how he/she doesn't have time to slop beans on a plate for people who refuse to work. The confusion comes in because I think it is in reference to AKRandy's post about how they volunteer at the women's shelter and assisted living living center. I mean, I suppose it would be difficult for some to understand a woman leaving her husband or boyfriend regardless of whether they are being abused or not, thus requiring the use of the women's shelter. I mean, it's a pretty crude view of women's rights and the protection of children, but some people are pretty stark on "til death do you part." But, I really don't understand how the elderly and disabled who live in assisted living centers "refuse to work." I must say, if that is your view of the world, I really hope you keep to yourself... a lot.
Blake, from reading your angry (and very ignorant) comments, you seem like the one who needs the Xanax.
@Rick-in-SD, I'm not angry at all. Not even a little. I'm actually kinda giggling about everyone getting so defensive over nothing. It's comical. :P
Then you have a seriously warped sense of humor. You've certainly got issues.
@Rick-in-SD- Well well well, now who's being judgemental? LOL I wonder if WTGRL is going to give you shizznit or if she is going to gang up with you. You guys are silly.
It says in the article that the Doctor has traveled to medical conferences so I would hope that he was not just there for pleasure and tried to stay current as a "good" doctor should. Always good to hear about people like this. Hope he lives an even longer and happier life then he already has, God bless.
The problem is insurance companies and the middle man fees that we have to pay them. Imagine if we paid 15%-30% less for medical costs or auto insurance. Some companies might make even more of a profit margin adding to the cost even more. That is not including the waste that is takes to actually operate that insurance company either. The buildings, salaries, media/ads, claims vehicles, computers, lights, etc. They do not even provide a service, they cost us money. Doctors provide the service.
The vast majority of us would be better off not paying for insurance and saving the money instead. I have paid more in premiums then I have in coverage atm. If I did have a wreak, accident, etc. before I had enough money saved up, I should be able to get a loan from some of the people that already have. Make one large fund everyone pays into.
portia, computers have been in the mainstream for maybe 20-25 years, so I guess the whole world was just plain stupid before then, huh. It may be a little slower but, the doctors file system will never crash. It will still work during a power failure. Nobody will try to steal it and pawn it. It will never catch a virus, bug, trojan, worm etc. just sayin...
"or slop beans on a plate for people who live off the government or refuse to find work."
Ignorance is bliss, isn't it Blake?
A nice feel good story and most the posts are negative or off topic. No one could or should realistically practice medicine for $5 per visit, but it is nice to hear someone actually is truly doing it out of the goodness of their heart. It seems many are quick to denounce him as unworthy in today's world or medicine. His patients don't seem to see it that way, nor does anything else in the article lead one to that conclusion. Can we just feel good about a story like this?
WOW!
A positive and uplifting story about a good man and community member. What a welcome relief!
I find this a very heart warming story of love, care, compassion, and selflessness for fellow mankind. They say if you love your job, you never work a day in your life. I don't believe this humble man can say he has ever worked a day in HIS life. People like him renews faith in mankind, especially in such difficult times. That generation can still teach us the true values in life.
Thank you, Dr. Dohner, for you are a true American. May others stand up and take notice.
"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." – Mark Twain
Wondering how u take care of medicare patients because once you charge them your obligated to fill out medicare papers for them even if u only charge 5 dollars.
I was raised in Rushville IL, the same town that Dr. Dohner has practiced medicine all these years. He is the best diagnostician that I have ever heard of. He has treated thousands of people with every kind of ailment imaginable. He treated my whole family including my mother, father and siblings. I am 71. He is a kind, giving, caring practitioner with good common sense and a sharp clear mind. He does not care about the money he's making. He lives very modestly, is extremely humble and has a heart of gold. He keeps up on current medical practice. When he retires not only will the people of Rushville be without a good friend but Schuyler County people and others who came to him from miles away will feel his loss. We love you Dr. Dohner!
Our market sees health care, our very lives, with dollar signs in it's eyes. We were born into a system where you must make money on anything and everything you do. If you aren't posting record gains and own half your town, you aren't doing it right. I have never seen health as that, because you can't trade, or sell, your health, unless it's a functioning organ that you can't grow back. Yet still they make record money through misdiagnosing, through expensive drugs, out of lab trials by money from pharmaceutical companies that nudge them to push certain pills on their customers, and overcharging just seeing you.
The good doctor in this article is like another doctor I know. Charged me $80 for a visit for a large infection that was on my foot. He gave me pills and a cream that equaled about $14 all together, and it got rid of something I had suffered from for 2 years. Simple medicine, simple solution, and better yet, I lived after doing what the doctor said to do. These are doctors that went into medicine to help people, rather than to by sports cars and live rich lives and drive fast cars. I am thankful for people like him, tireless, selfless, giving all they can for others so that they can live happy, fulfilling lives.
As for the rest of you, trying to shame him, denounce him. He gives others hope, he's doing all he can because no one else will unless they're rich. He's taking care of an entire community who loves him, and whom he himself loves. Even after his wife ran off to live a faster, big city life, he stayed behind, and he's worked himself literally to the bone. Why don't you all try being decent human beings for once in your pathetic lives? Or is it too much of a change for you?
I would use this doctor 100 times before I used a regular doctor... here is an honest man who isnt controlled by the love of money...
and dont even get me started on this obamanation that we call obamacare... it will speed up the demise of this once beautiful nation.
I am also from the town Dr. Dohner practices in. He gave me my Kindergarten checkup and I am 61 years old now. He made house calls to my house growing up and would always come in PJ's, a dress coat, and the ever present fedora. What a wonderful, caring doctor. I remember his ex wife would come in the office in the early days. She was style personified, but was not interested in living in a small town. I moved away, but have gone back occasionally, taken my children to be treated by Dr. Dohner. In fact, I could buy a bus ticket for all of us, go to the good doctor, and return home for less than the price of seeing a Dr. in my city. God Bless Dr. Dohner for all his years of taking care of us.
this man is is pure love!!!
He is a true gentleman and gem of a doctor, need more people like that.
AKRandy - In my 24 plus years working in the medical profession in on capacity or another I only every met one physician who was in the profession for money. Most all Doctors become one because they want to help period!
It is the system that is out of control - it cost a physician a lot of money to just open their doors these days with a ton of liability - The Insurance Companies and Drug companies are out of control on their operational cost and the regulations designed to help - increase rather than decrease the cost. The average Physician today write a lot of what they charge due to people not able to pay or fees not covered by medical insurance or uninsured folks. So don't blame the physicians - fix the system
I am glad to hear there are a few good ones out there but most are greedy.
They need to pay child support and Alimony to their first wife!! While they live with their high maintenance trophy wife!
Actually, Randy, I'm going to agree with SD. My grandpa's a doctor, still practicing even though he's over 70 now. My uncle's a doctor. My father's a doctor. All of them are not in it for the money. (As an aside, to counteract your frankly ludicrous comment, none of them have a "trophy wife.") My grandpa could have retired a long time ago, but he hasn't, because he loves his job and loves helping people. My father works until the wee hours of the morning every night trying to keep up with paperwork. I've grown up around doctors, my family and their coworkers, and I can say that without exception they are in it to help people.
Maybe when it comes to some sorts of cosmetic surgeons, like the kind that specialize in breast implants or giving nose jobs to insecure teens, being in it just for the money is more common. In most fields, though, while the pay might be good, the system takes most of it. Most physicians couldn't keep costs down even if they tried. Due to the current shortage of doctors, they're forced to work long hours and take on huge numbers of patients. My father frequently works on paperwork until the wee hours of the morning, and his patients have to book appointments several months in advance because there's so many of them. The new changes being enacted in the health care system will literally force him to take on still more patients, for which he will be paid less than ever.
i remember growing up in upper michigan in the 60s our doctor coming to our house with his little
black bag and charging my mom ''whatever she could afford'' people dealt with each other one on one
back then instead of now you gotta involve 20 people for one visit whata frickin waste!!
I agree with SD-it's the system right now that's driving up the costs, not the doctors themselves. The cost of various procedures in the united states is much higher than the same treatment in other nations. If you go to the hospital, regardless of which of the doctors on the staff helps you, the cost is going to be the same.
Randy, I'm assuming you are just enjoying stirring the pot, because no one could seriously make such stupid generalities and comments.
I'll agree with SD that the current system is way out of control. Everything is way to complicated and to much liability is thrown around. It was made that way to prevent a statistically small number of incidents, yet has created a much bigger second order effect. To make it worse the biopharms are charging ridiculous prices for their medications and the doctors are encouraged to over-prescribe to avoid liability.
Most of the medical professionals I've known have been very professional and caring. Especially general practitioners. You don't become a general practitioner (Family doctor) for the money. Their some of the most overworked and underpaid doctors. The real money is in the specialty fields like neurological, orthopedic, pediatric, and even cosmetic (burn tissue repair ect..).
wow !! this is amazing. This man has already eraned his wings and a place waiting for him in heaven. It's to bad there aren't more small town Dr's around like this guys. The medical and insurance profession is full of greed. GOD BLESS Dr. Dohner I hope he live to be 110 -
Please. Why do you have to bring your imaginary god and afterlife into the picture? The doctor is a good human and can be appreciated in this life alone.
AB.. Parrothead didn't have to bring his real God and afterlife into the picture, he chose too. Just like you chose to bring your Athiest views and no afterlife into the picture.
Its all good though.. Jesus loves both of you.. Have a great day!
jack-364934, sorry, but Jesus doesn't exist at the present time, except in your mind. If you think he does, please show and prove it. And an afterlife is a very bold claim to make, with zero basis in observation.
AB, I happen to agree with your views on religion, but this is no time to debate that. There is nothing wrong with a theist in good faith with good intentions and not hurting anybody saying what they believe.
Parrott's post was a positive, kind one, and nicely done.
I dont understand your statement. On one hand you say he doesnt exist, then you claim he does exist in my mind. For the record, he exists in my heart and soul, not my mind. You dont have to be a believer yourself and I wouldnt try to convince you otherwise, but you might want to consider that practice too. Cant hurt to let a believer believe.
God Bless you!
Freethink88, sorry but I think you're a fool. Do you think these men render explicit opportunities for debate? There is everything wrong with irrational beliefs, self-delusion, dogmatism. If you think atheists should only engage fundamentalist believers, that's actually a fruitless course of action to take.
Great. If I want a poultice and some leeches I'll look him up.
You run that risk. On the other hand, I was at my dentist's getting a crown yesterday, and we had a long discussion about the great new technology that keeps coming out...not only has he been around to see 50 years worth of advances and problems, he keeps very up to date; he is very involved in any new tech. Yesterday we were talking about 3d printing applications in dentistry and whether stem cell research would ever play out.
He also runs one of the few offices around here that will deal with young children and government assistance, and I've seen where he lives, because I first met him when I was doing some computer work for him. It's just a modest house, nice, but not insane. He truly seems to do it because he wants to do it, and if he does, I know there must be others. Usually, im the last patient of the day, so sometimes we'll even have a drink together when the appt's over.
I'll be lost when he retires or passes away, and I imagine it's a little like this.
There's a special place for this Doc upstairs.
When you hear the Bell, another Angel gets it's wings...
What a gem of a man! Thank you doctor Dohner for doing what you do!
I have excellent physicians and more than one, well actually I have four that treat my conditions. Each and every one of these people are a blessing and I have actually had them to write off procedures they have done because the insurance won't pay for it, but I have needed. Anyone who says these people get into this for money just have something against not only Doctors, but anyone who has worked hard and have become successful. Quit wanting everything given to you, go back to school, change professions do something instead of complaining how life is so unfair to you.
What a heartwarming story thank God created people like him for less fortunate and underserved people. It is hard to be like this doctor in this time and age at list we could
have been a little kinder to fellow human being in our pursuits of money and fame.
I have to agree with most of the posters that cite the system, not the doctors, as the problem. While there are always greedy shysters in any profession, I think most doctors generally do want to help people. But the needs of working within the system often require them to charge exorbitant fees. The healthcare system is run-amok and I feel that the problems lie in the insurance companies, lawyers, and administrators of the system.
The healthcare system is run-amok and I feel that the problems lie in the insurance companies, lawyers, and administrators of the system. if these type of professions benefit from obamacare they voted for obama that is the scary part about the election that in america someone can come in and influence the vote in mere numbers to win dispite if it's american values or not. If i get a free cell phone from the gov. i'm voting for the guy giving me the free cell phone if my taxes are being raised i'm not voting for the other guy
@ 1hnstchicpol...My god I wish you people would get informed. The cell phones that are provided for low income people are "Not" being paid for by taxpayer's or the government!! This lie is being repeated over and over again. It's provided by the telecom companies!! The Internet is a tool for more than just spewing some non-sense somebody took and ran with. Do research people!!
It sickings me that the same people that call out others for being lazy, are to lazy to take the time to verify something they no nothing about.
@soulhia2001, Yes, research is good. The free cell phones you speak of are subsidized by the Lifeline Assistance Program that was set up by the FCC. The program is funded using the Universal Service Fee that you might see on your phone bill each month. The last time I checked, the FCC was a government entity. The FCC subsidizes the phone with money taken from phone users. Therefore these phones are, in fact, paid for by the government.
Do a Google search on Free Government Cell Phones and you'll find articles from USA Today and the Washington Examiner, among others, explaining this. Not to mention all the web sites where you can go to obtain your very own free government cell phone.
soul2001, you nailed it. Thanks to the majority of voters who didn't buy into the Fox propaganda. By the way I get mailers from AARP every monthabout free government phone; nothing on the mailer even mentions Obama. Obamcare is far from perfect but it provides a framework for us to build on. It will take some years to tweak and modify to get it run smoothly. Once Obamacare is fully implemented we will start seeing improved medical outcomes. We have nearly 50 million Americans without health insurance and no access to health care. Obamacare will enable 32-38 million of those people to be insured and have access to medical care through their family doctors rather than going to the emergency room. As a physician who have served in the military, I do believe universal health care is the most cost-effective way to deliver health care. Government is not in the business of making profit, unlike private insurance companies that pay their CEO's obsurd amount of salary to CUT your benefits and DENY treatments; that is the only way they can maximize profit. I have a relative who is a retired insurance company CEO, retired at the age 53 with a golden parachute. This relative successfully climb the corporate ladder by cutting patient reimbursement and deny coverages thus raked in billions of dollars for himself and his company. If the government is doing this, we would have a revolt. Yet many Americans chose to believe Fox propaganda about free market and freedom to chose. Sure you can chose to be robbed by the private insurance company or you can chose to help build a stronger not-for-profit health care infrastructure where everyone can benefit and not just those few at the top of the corporate ladder. I pay my office biller $25/hour to tackle insurance company paperwork so I don't have to. As much as I respect Dr. Dohner and his dedication, I cannot put food on the table for my family if I charge $5 per visit. I don't think Dr. Dohner even have malpractice insurance which is another chunk of my expenses. I have treated patients without charging them because I know they just can't pay and I don't want to waste my staff's time to generate bills that will never be paid.
First off, this is a VERY touching story, enough so that I have also read all of the replies up to this one (and will read a number more). Technology and the Information Age ALMOST necessitates all information (patient records, for example) being kept on some type of digital media (i.e. computers), but, as in this case, while it obviously would be faster to access, fast is not always best, especially with viruses, bugs, computer crashes, geomagnetic storms such as the one that affected much of Quebec in '89 and EMF . This is America, and WE should be setting the standard, especially for something such as healthcare. I believe something like Obamacare should exist, and, like everything else, needs some "tweaking". Other countries like Canada and Finland have national healthcare, but, they are expensive to their tax payers. We can do much better!
I live in a large metro area of IL. i have like 4-5 hospitals to choose from with in a 4-10 mile radius a immediate care now 2 minutes from my home. I doubt in rushville Il. they have as many choices as I do It would be a crime if obama care put doctors like this out of business if doctors like this dis appear where will people in the rural area get quick help and if they do disappear it will just put more stress on the other doctors ya no one wants to think about that
Health Insurance Companies are not the Solution, they are the Problem.
Dr. Dohner should be honored by the president and/or congress with a medal. He deserves it as much as many who have received in the past. Here is someone who genuinely cares about people and his community and has dedicated his entire life to it.
What a beautiful human being!
Love the story. Wish there were more doctors like that. I'm sure he's just providing basic care. things like the sniffles, broken bones, the flu anything more than that I'm sure he sends to someone more capable of handling the issue. Today's medical care is out of control. Whether is from high insurance costs, high medicine costs, or high cost of having the latest and greatest medical device, something needs to be done to control those spiraling costs. There's a commercial out there that says "would you ask a doctor to do your job? Then why do you do the doctors job?" Simple answer, because I don't charge $300 to self diagnose and I'd like to be able to eat this week.
That is exactly the point though. The sniffles and such are the reason health care is so expensive. The E.R.s are mostly about the people who do not pay for healthcare using it as a primary care doctor. Those are the types of small things that clog up the system. I am 43 when I was a kid you had to be missing an arm or something to go to the doctor, aside from your yearly physical. Now every time a kid sneezes its and emergency. Is it that we are being scared more and more or are we just incapable or unwilling to take care of our own kids????
Ken, I agree with you. Good thing everyone will have to have some coverage or be fined if they do not. Hooray for Obama care. I have a hard time understanding the wingnuts who are against what they are for..., like free treatment in the emergency room driving up the cost for the rest of us who do have insurance. Also agree that everytime kids get a sniffle or temp. it is off to the doctor. I am 59 and remember mom treating me with salt water gargles, Vicks Vapo Rub, Chicken soup and ice cream. Too many antibiotics and children do not develop their own immunnities to common colds and such.
Thank you, Dr. Dohner, for your commitment to honor, self-sacrifice and loyality to your patients. You are rare in this modern age of, "here's your number and your pills" medicine.
What a great, inspiring and touching story! What a beautiful, selfless soul! You don't find too many like him especially during this era of materialism.
Long live Dr. Dohner!
What a great person this man is. If we only had more people like this living among us just think how much better things would be. My grandfather was a country MD in rural Oklahoma. He died before I was born from influenza contracted from one of his patients. I regard my grandfather as a hero and I regard the doctor in this article a hero too. Too many people enter into the medical profession for the wrong reasons. And we all know way too many people enter into the law profession for ONLY the wrong reasons (greed). But no matter for greed because death is the great equalizer. Men such as this old doctor will stand tall when that day comes. I bet his funeral will be standing room only. It was for my grandfather I was told.
Dr. Dohner, you truly are the richest man in the world. I wish you a long life, good health and much happiness.
Dr. Dohner reminds me of my old family doctor, Dr. Scott. Back in the day, you saw your family doctor, the charges were reasonable, and most patients paid the bill on the spot before leaving the Dr.'s office.
Along came 1974 and HMOs - a year that will live in infamy - the beginning of the steady decline of the health care profession as we know it...
If it were up to me, HMOs would never see the light of day!
I think this is great. Honestly. How many Doctor's still do this? Just because he doesn't have computerized equipment in his office doesn't mean the man is not up to date on his skills. If I am not mistaken, Doctors, just like teachers, and other professions have to continue their education, they are never truly finished. It'll be sad for those people when they loose a good Doctor.
All doctors take yearly CE courses in their particular field of practice as a requirement to maintain their licensing, and to keep their credentialing/provider panel status current with whatever insurance company/health maintenance organization they are a provider with, along with Medicare.
This is what Jesus would do.
Republicans take note.
What?!? But he's an evil, old white man! White male=Republican=bigot=evil=has no place in America! {/sarcasm}
Some of you haters might want to rethink whom you're hating.
He seems like a fantastic guy and kudos to him for the good work he's doing. HOWEVER, a lot more MD's would act the same way if they were independently wealthy as Dr. Dohner is. Remember the the family farm he does not work on which subsidizes his practice?
Again, he is doing great work but this isn't the story of a starving altruist that some people would like it to be.
i knew that some idiot would have to make a beautiful story political! way to go, moron!
kuotomonk ...Jesus loves republicans too.
Jack - um, who said he didn't. Although, I'm not quite sure he'd love some of their rhetoric
Kevin - good point, but, I know many a doctor, whose mantra is "enough is never enough"
Robbie - what the heck are you talking about, haters?
eb125 - hush now, grown ups are talking, idiot(see I can call names like a spoiled 3 year old too)
Yet more proof that the only reason medical costs are so expensive is greed and nothing more.
Lame bumpkin hick - he is probably a republican!!! Pffft go back west with the rest of the racist biggot sexists republicans!!!!!
Umm no apparently you are a republican because you suffer from one of their classic symptoms, not being able to read, and not being able to see reality.
you my friend are a complete IDIOT! thanks for posting so others can see it
Joe H thinks he's clever by trying to make Democrats look irrational. He's actually a Republican. You're not fooling us dude.
Need more stories like this, and more people like this- that's all i can say.